Friday, December 31, 2010

I realize that some of my favorite discoveries of 2010 will be old to many of you. But, don’t destroy my joy, these things are new to me so they are still shiny. These are in no particular order, however I know which ones I enjoy the most.

1. The Droid - I told myself I wouldn’t buy a smart phone, but… alas… there’s a sucker born every minute. The woman at the store told me that I could change the settings so the phone wouldn’t say “Droid!!” every time a text, email, or facebook notice came in. Silly lady, that’s the best part.

2. The IT Crowd - My friend introduced me to this television show. I watched only a couple of episodes and ordered the entire series. I believe in American Exceptionalism… except… maybe… just maybe… when it comes to British comedy shows the British take the cake, tea, and crumpets.

3. Despicable Me - I loved this movie. What can I say? I’m a sucker for a villain with a heart of gold… and… kittens… and… fluffy unicorns. Weird but true, in the past I’ve enjoyed the adult movie comedies such as Office Space more than children‘s movies. But, in my opinion Hollywood has done a crappy job with the adult comedies lately and has definitely stepped up their game with the kid’s cartoons.

4. iPad - This was a gift and I know there were lots of funny jokes about Apple choosing the name “iPad” on Twitter. But, man… oh… man… is it fun. Also, I was introduced to the vast World of Apps.

5. Pawn Stars - Part lessons in history, part lessons in negotiating prices, part freaky Las Vegas culture and part awesome. I’m not a fan of reality television shows (although I *could* possibly be familiar with TLC’s Baby Story and the first seasons of ABC’s The Bachelor) but this one is fun to watch.

6. Bully Beatdown - Who doesn’t love a bully getting his or her comeuppance? The rule of thumb is, the bigger they talk… the bigger they fall. The host Jason “Mayhem” Miller does a great job of being a commentator *and* he’s nice to look at. ;)

7. Better Than Sex Cake - I was at a restaurant drooling over their Italian Chocolate Cake that had toffee in its icing and the waitress told me she ate a better cake. My first thought is that it wasn’t possible. She wrote down the recipe and the rest is history. Ingredients:1 German chocolate or other chocolate cake, baked, 13x9x2-inch 3/4 cup fudge topping 3/4 cup caramel or butterscotch topping 3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk6 chocolate covered toffee bars1 tub of whipped topping or 1 envelope Dream Whip, prepared with milkPreparation:Do not remove cake from pan. After the cake has cooled, make holes in the entire top of the cake using a large fork or the handle of a wooden spoon. Pour (one at a time) fudge, butterscotch, and condensed milk over the top of the cake and let each flavor soak in before adding the next. Crush 3 of the candy bars and sprinkle on the top. Frost the cake with the whipped topping and crush the 3 remaining toffee bars to decorate the top. Try to keep your hands off of this great cake before serving!

8. Wasabi in tubes - Yes, like toothpaste. I was only accustomed to wasabi at Asian restaurants and had no idea I could have it for my own devious enjoyment at home. I am a *huge* fan of spicy food. So this discovery made it much easier to add spice to random food items. I can’t disclose everything I’ve tried it on.

10. Fondue - Sure, fondue was popular in the 1970’s with all other freaky deaky stuff. But, I like that it’s making a comeback… or… at least in my household. One of my favorite books on it is called Dip Into Something Different. Just because the title makes me laugh.

These are my discoveries for 2010 and I would love to hear about yours. Happy New Years to you!!

Friday, December 17, 2010

The European Court of Human Rights ruled Thursday that Ireland’s constitutional ban on abortion violates a pregnant woman’s rights. “Under Irish law dating back to 1861, a doctor and patient both could be prosecuted for murder if an abortion was later deemed not to be medically necessary.” One of the women, a Lithuanian woman living in Ireland, claimed her rights were violated because she was in remission from a rare form of cancer. Ireland’s defense claimed, “…that the woman should have petitioned the Irish High Court for the right to have an abortion in Ireland.” Health Minister Mary Harney said that, “…pregnant women suffering from cervical cancer, exceptionally high blood pressure or ectopic pregnancies already were receiving abortions in Irish hospitals.” Pregnancies that are at risk to the mother are already taking place in Ireland, but because of this rare case, abortion rights are pushed just a little bit more. Dr. Mary Favier, director of Doctors for Choice said, “Doctors can feel vindicated today. For the first time we can feel confident about discussing abortion as an option for women in medical need without fearing prosecution.” Abortion as an option for women in medical need, but how many abortion doctors will talk about the ramifications to a woman who wants an abortion that is not medically necessary?

The side effects of a legal abortion can cause life long mental and physical health problems and in rare cases death. Women face a number of possible physical complications as a result of legal abortion, including hemorrhaging that requires a transfusion, perforation of the uterus, cardiac arrest, endotoxic shock, major unintended surgery, infection resulting in hospitalization, convulsions, undiagnosed ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, cervical laceration, uterine rupture and death (Source: Warren Hern, "Abortion Practices," J.B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia, 1990, p. 173 ff.)

Research published in the British Medical Journal concluded that women who abort a first pregnancy are at significantly greater risk of depression. An average of 8 years after their abortions, married women were 138 percent more likely to be at risk of long term clinical depression than similar women who carried their unintended first pregnancies to term. (Source: Reardon D.C., Cougle J.R., "Depression and Unintended Pregnancy In the National Longitundinal Survey of Youth," British Medical Journal, January 2002, 324:151-152.) After an abortion, women can experience psychological reactions such as guilt, regret, nervousness and difficulty sleeping. (Source: J.R. Ashton, "The psychosocial outcome of induced abortion," British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, December 1980, 87:1120-1121.)

I’m disturbed by this tax and it’s not because my state of California will most likely follow suit. One of the reasons is that once a tax is in place, it becomes easier to tax… just… a… little… bit… more. We have all seen the ridiculousness of the airlines and their fees. Want to board your flight early? Charge. Want to take your iPad? Charge. Want to have a seat assignment? Charge. Want to go to the restroom? Coin operated charge. Yes, really. Want to talk to an airport employee? Spirit Airlines considered having a fee for talking to an employee. It’s a slippery slope of fees to generate money.

Another issue I have is that this tax is generated from unfortunate circumstances rather than the logical privilege fees we have such as at the DMV, United States Postal Service and the horrible self-inflicted local Library fees. President George Washington knows what I’m talking about in library late fees. Where the privilege of driving and of mailing items to family and loved ones are reasonably charged fees, emergency services are paid for through taxes that fund fire and police departments. Our taxes already pay for these services and this “crash tax” is an unnecessary burden upon the citizens of New York. The Democrats have lovingly called Republicans the “Party of No.” In a way, we are the “Party of No.” No, we don’t want to be screwed over with ridiculous taxes that charge the innocent along with the guilty just to generate revenue for the Democrats’ out of control spending.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

On September 11, 2001, at age 32, Lance Richard Tumulty was one of the victims lost in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Lance was a tender, loving husband, doting father and friend to many. He left behind his wife, Cynthia, and his two little girls, Sara and Caroline. Lynne Devlin wrote about Lance, "Lance loved life more than most people I know. He lived life to the absolute fullest, doing everything from hunting, to motorcross, fishing and skiing. I think Shawn said it best at the funeral though, it was more than that - Lance got into your soul. His enthusiasm was more than I've ever encountered." Kate Hamm wrote, "I always knew when Lance was around because the first words out of his mouth were 'Hey Baby!'" Susan Barricella wrote, "...Lance was a fun and outgoing person, who made everyone around him feel at ease." Lin Miller said, "Lance had the biggest heart of anyone I knew. He had a tough exterior, but when you needed anything, you didn't even have to call. He would help."

He was deeply in love with his wife Cynthia. Lynne Devlin wrote, "I used to love the way Lance looked at you, like no one else in the world existed." Lance's mother-in-law said, "He was a great dad, a great, great dad." From the moment they came from the hospital, Lance adored and cared for his children. Jim Michaels wrote, "We remember the love we saw in Lance's eyes for you and your daughters, but most of all we remember Lance's humor and his ever present smile." Lance's daughter Sara was talking about her father and said, "I was hoping the angels would have brought him back to me, but the angels brought him straight up to heaven instead."

A letter from Lance's college friend:

March 31, 2004Dear Cynthia & girls,

I knew your dad a very long time ago....actually he was my Mom's savior many years ago....

My name is Kristy Brennan (then Rodgers) and I knew your Dad when he drove a black Mustang and played football when he was in college! I can't believe 3 years have gone by and I am just finding this out tonight. I don't know how I didn't know sooner. There is sooo much I want to say - so many of the things are so true...Lance had a way of getting into your heart right away - he would have done anything for anyone ... at anytime - at any point.

See - if it wasn't for Lance I would have never graduated from College. At that point - my Mom was dying from Cancer and Lance would drive me back and forth from Glassboro to Perth Amboy & back again for our games.....If it wasn't for Lance - I would have never graduated (I hated Stats - Economics & Finance) - Lances favorites!!

See - I have so many "not important" memories but things that have changed my life forever - Thanks to Lance & I wanted you to know.

MY mom too is in heaven & I am sure she met Lance at the gates - she loved how big he was & she loved his hugs more than anything.

Cynthia - I remember I spoke to Lance once after you were married (he LOVED you more than anything !) when he called me to see if I wanted a job working with him....we lost touch somehow after that - not sure how ... but we did!

I just wanted you to know how much Lance meant to sooo many people & like you I have a daughter - Emmy is only 6 - and I am sure the girls have his smile!

I wish you the best always & if there is anything I could ever do for you or your daughters - please let me know ....

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

The money quote comes from a commenter below named Java. Java writes, "Love that headline ..... I guess we are now in the 'informal' part of the combat since the 'formal' part is over." That is *exactly* what I was thinking. "Formal" combat ends and we are now initiating "Casual Friday" combat... except... not really. Word from military families I know, it is just as dangerous, if not even more so now. My thoughts and prayers are with the soldiers and their families.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Earlier this year, Forbes compiled a list of the world’s most dangerous countries. Whenever I am presented with information, my mind instantly searches for patterns/connections… what do these countries have in common? After reading the Forbes list, I was curious about common themes in countries with other undesirable qualities, like poor standards of living, low life expectancy, high illiteracy rates, least amount of freedoms, etc. One of the most comprehensive studies on international liberty is conducted by Freedom House (see 2010 map/stats/info HERE). The two most common themes of the least desirable countries stood out like sore thumbs: totalitarianism and Islam.

What is the connection between Islam and totalitarian style governments like communism? Islam is geopolitical in nature, it encompasses and controls all facets of living: politics, finance, education, media, religion, etc. Totalitarian style governments, specifically those with state atheism, attempt to do the same. They are dangerous because they see no natural boundary to their ambitions. These ideologies control and manipulate their citizens, robbing them of individual liberties, especially freedom of religion, and specifically Judeo-Christian values. By ignoring these politically incorrect patterns, we are emboldening the enemies of liberty and thereby encouraging a more dangerous world.

Monday, May 31, 2010

"...that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion, that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this Nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." President Abraham Lincoln

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Whereas, the Senate of the United States, devoutly recognizing the supreme authority and just government of the Almighty God in all the affairs of men and of nations has by a resolution requested the president to designate and set apart a day for national prayer and humiliation.

And whereas, it is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God: to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon: and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord:

And insomuch as we know that by His divine law nations, like individuals are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world, may we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war which now desolates the land may be but a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people?

We have been the recipients of the choices bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown; but we have forgotten God.

We have forgotten the gracious land which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God who made us:

It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.

All this being done in sincerity and truth, let us then rest humbly in the hope authorized by the divine teachings, that the united cry of the nation will be heard on high, and answered with blessings no less than the pardon of our national sins, and the restoration of our now divided and suffering country to its former happy condition of unity and peace.

Monday, April 19, 2010

On Easter Sunday, a day to eat the heads off of chocolate bunnies and overdose on candy, there was one monster noticeably absent from all the fun at the White House. Cookie Monster apparently did not get an invite and the usual suspects from Sesame Street did. Cookie Monster handled it the way any celebrity of his stature would, he tweeted his outrage.

Cookie Monster should have expected this especially since First Lady Michelle Obama launched the War on Fat Kids. Maybe it's because of his flamboyant lifestyle of high sugar, his slurred speech, or his protruding belly? My question is, aren't we all a little like Cookie Monster?

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Saturday, April 3, 2010

...yet Jesus did it. Jesus fulfilled the hundreds of Old Testament prophecies concerning “Messiah”. Mathematician and scientist Peter W. Stoner concluded that the probability of one person fulfilling just 48 of the over 300 prophecies was one chance in a trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion (Science Speaks: Scientific Proof of the Accuracy of Prophecy and the Bible). Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, the Old Testament foretold signs of the coming Messiah. These prophecies created a fingerprint only the true Messiah could fit. Against astronomical odds, Jesus – and only Jesus throughout all history – matched this prophetic fingerprint.

The following are a small sample of Old Testament Scriptures of Messianic prophecies fulfilled in Jesus (the Old Testament reference is noted first; with Jesus’ fulfillment of the prophecy in the New Testament written next):

The Messiah will be born of a virgin – Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-35

The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem – Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1, Luke 2:4-7

The Messiah will come before the destruction of Jerusalem (which occurred in 70AD) – Daniel 9:26; Jesus and His apostles spoke of this event in prophecy: Matthew 24:1-2, Luke 21:24, Deuteronomy 28:49-52

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Israel's Ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren, being heckled at UC Irvine by anti-Israel students, February 8, 2010. He persevered, completing his speech, while the anti-free speech students were thrown out and arrested.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Yes, ladies, it's what the world has been waiting for... young conservative men who rap. They are like a Conservative's Bizarro Worlds Andy Samberg and Justin Timberlake. Is it wrong that I like these guys? I'm thinking these young conservative men, who I shall refer to by their street names "Stiltz and Serious C", are my new guilty pleasure. Sorry, Dos Equis Man. Their allure is unexplainable, but I think it's for the same reasons why I like puppies.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Ah... yes. It's not so shocking that President Obama refers to himself 132 times in the video. I'm just wondering if he has "code words" or "safety words" to refer to himself even more. Classic line, "This is not about me." The video is a perfect warm up video for tonight's State of the Union Address, which won't be about him either.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

U.S. Army National Guard Specialist Pedro Montero of the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team holds his daughter Jaelyn Montero, 11mths, as they say goodbye to each other during a deployment ceremony on January 5, 2010 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.